870,000 Tons Of Contraband Seized During War

Northern Advocate, 22 December 1939, Page 10

870,000 Tons Of Contraband Seized During War

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 21

It is officially stated that a total of 510,000 tons of contraband has been detained by Britain since the outbreak of the war, * A total of 26,000 tons was intercepted during the week ended December 16. The latest weekly total, says a British Official Wirless message, includes: 8995 tons of petroleum. 6000 tons of ferro-nickel ore. 1313 tons of cotton, 376 tons of foodstuffs and beverages. 273 tons of gums and resins. 173 tons of non-metallic products. Quantities of oils, fats, oil seeds, lubber, fibres, hides and skins. French Totals,

The French total of contraband seized to December 17, is believed to be about 360,000 tons, making the joint Allied total 870,000 tons. Since the beginning of the war, the British Contraband Committee has held 107 sittings, and examined the cargoes of 303 British ships and 1228 neutral ships. Altogether 66 cargoes have been wholly seized and 1038 cargoes wholly rdcciscdt The following approximate figures give some illustration of the amounts detained.

Contrast.

Taking the joint Allied totals, 600 trains, 1 consisting of 30,000 trucks, would be required to transport the amount of petroleum seized. Similarly, 640 trains, consisting of 33,000 trucks, would be needed to carry the various metals seized. The transport by rail of all the contraband seized would require 116,500 trucks, or 2330 trains. These trucks ; if coupled together into a continuous train, would occupy 600 miles of line—equivalent to the distance from Hamburg to Vienna.